Sen. Neil Anderson

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that there is no fee for an annual or 3-year fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, or hunting license for resident Gold Star Family members. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules establishing who qualifies for Gold Star Family member status and what constitutes suitable verification of that status. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Eliminates a provision that a licensee under the Act shall not knowingly carry a firearm on any bus, train, or form of transportation paid for in whole or in part with public funds, or in any building, real property, or parking area under the control of a public transportation facility paid for in whole or in part with public funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Eliminates language providing that no person may acquire or possess firearm ammunition within the State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Illinois State Police under the provisions of the Act. Eliminates language providing that no person may knowingly transfer, or cause to be transferred, any firearm ammunition to any person within the State unless the transferee with whom the person deals displays either: (1) a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card which has previously been issued in his or her name by the Illinois State Police under the provisions of the Act; or (2) a currently valid license to carry a concealed firearm which has previously been issued in his or her name by the Illinois State Police under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that any purchases by a township for services, materials, or supplies in excess of $60,000 (rather than $30,000), other than professional services, shall be contracted for through: (i) a contract let to the lowest responsive bidder after advertising for bids at least once in a newspaper having several circulation in the township or (ii) a contract let without advertising for bids in the case of an emergency if authorized by the township board.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the prohibition against carrying a firearm into any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government does not apply to any rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation or to buildings located in rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Makes changes to the statement that must appear on a Firearm Owners Identification Card that qualifies for a photograph exemption. Provides that such a card shall have printed on it the following: "This card is valid for firearm purchases through a federally licensed firearms dealer when presented with photographic identification, such as a REAL ID compliant or standard State-issued driver's license, a REAL ID compliant or standard State-issued identification card, or a United States passport." Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that only voting machines or voting systems approved by the State Board of Elections, as allowed under this Code, may be used by an election authority. Repeals the Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems Article. Makes conforming changes. Provides that a "voting machine", "voting system", or "electronic voting system" does not mean a direct recording electronic voting machine or system or a machine or system that uses a computer as the marking device to mark a ballot sheet. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a non-resident may carry a handgun under the Act if the non-resident is 21 years of age or older, has a license or permit in a state whose training requirements are substantially similar to those under the Act or to residents of contiguous states if a reciprocal agreement has been entered into, the license or permit holder is not a resident of Illinois, and the license or permit holder is a legal resident of the United States. Provides that a non-resident is subject to the same laws and restrictions as a license holder under the Act. Provides that if a resident of another state who is permitted to carry under this provision establishes legal residence in this State, the license or permit shall be valid in this State for 90 days following the date on which the holder of the license or permit establishes legal residence in this State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reinstates the exemption for the use or sale of tangible personal property purchased from an Illinois retailer by a taxpayer engaged in centralized purchasing activities in Illinois. Provides that the exemption is repealed on June 30, 2031 (currently, June 30, 2016). Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no member of the State Board of Elections or affiliated person shall contribute, either financially or in services or goods or any other way, to any political party, candidate, or organization engaged in political activity. Defines terms. Effective immediately.